{
  "id": "2026-02-09-columbia-university-package-thefts-122nd-morningside",
  "slug": "columbia-university-package-thefts-122nd-morningside-2026-02-09",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Columbia University",
    "shortName": "Columbia",
    "state": "NY",
    "type": "private-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Alert",
    "enrollment": 33000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2026-02-09",
    "type": "theft",
    "cleryCategory": "timely-warning",
    "resolution": "under-investigation",
    "headline": "Timely warning for package burglaries on 122nd and Morningside",
    "headlinePublic": "Timely warning for package burglaries on 122nd and Morningside",
    "summary": "Columbia Public Safety [issued Clery Crime Alert W04](https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W04_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_540West122ndStreetand100MorningsideDrive_2026_02_09.pdf) for package burglaries on February 9, 2026 at 540 West 122nd Street and 100 Morningside Drive, with piggybacking and intercom buzzing entry.",
    "outcome": "Public Safety seeking tips at 212-854-2797."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "February 9, 2026 (Clery Crime Alert W04 posting)",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Clery Crime Alert\n\nBurglaries/Package Thefts\n\nColumbia University Public Safety was recently informed that two Burglaries occurred on February\n9th, 2026, at 540 West 122nd Street and at 100 Morningside Drive.\n\nA video review shows that the individual \"piggybacked\" into the building at 540 West 122nd Street at\n11:07am. Once inside, the individual removed several packages. The same individual then rang\nthe intercom system until they were buzzed into 100 Morningside Drive at 1:05pm. Once inside, the\nindividual opened several packages and removed their contents.\n\nThe individual is shown in the photo below.\n\nIf you have any additional information about these incidents, please contact Public Safety at\n212-854-2797.\n\nHarm Reduction Strategies:\n\nMake sure the door locks behind you every time you enter or exit a building.\nDo not buzz people into a building unless you know who they are and what they are\ndoing.\nStay informed about delivery statuses and estimated arrival times and try to retrieve\nyour package(s) in a timely manner.\nSign up for free services such as FedEx Delivery Manager® and UPS My\nChoice® or use an Amazon Pick Up Location, such as a locker or local store. Many\nonline retailers allow you to send directly to a local shipping center or retail store\nat check out. Nearby shipping stores with secure delivery options include:\n\nFedEx Office Ship Center (116th and Broadway)\nUPS Store (115th and Broadway)\nUPS Store (42 Tiemann Place - Between Broadway and Claremont Ave)\n\nDisclaimer: Clery Crime Alerts (Timely Warning Notifications) are distributed pursuant to the\nJeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. Columbia University is required to alert the campus\ncommunity when certain crimes occur in our Clery Act defined campuses that represent a\nserious or continuous threat to the community. For additional information, please visit our Clery\nAct website or email ps-compliance@columbia.edu.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "confidence": "high",
      "sourceUrl": "https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W04_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_540West122ndStreetand100MorningsideDrive_2026_02_09.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (W04 Feb 9 2026)",
      "annotations": [
        "PDF dual-download MATCH 2026-09-21. Text-layer Ō mapped to ft (Thefts) and Ɵ to ti (until); NBSP to space, matching W05/W06 practice. sha256 f70c29ce39fba5ea381a0f19c649a7c6e8e763d633da35c74f995c715974b481. PDF bytes sha256 7eff8b1e657b97479a7b61c5650ceedfd1189ed3e272ae9cd1859ea198b4af73.",
        "Distinct incident from 2026-02-01-columbia-university-package-thefts-west-115th: different date and 540 W 122 / 100 Morningside vs West 115th.",
        "Distinct incident from 2026-04-03-columbia-university-claremont-122nd-burglaries: different date and package theft vs buzzing-entry burglaries."
      ],
      "characterCount": 1904
    }
  ],
  "context": "Columbia Public Safety posts Clery Crime Alerts as PDFs. Official product: the [W04 package-burglary warning](https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W04_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_540West122ndStreetand100MorningsideDrive_2026_02_09.pdf) for February 9, 2026 at 540 West 122nd Street and 100 Morningside Drive.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Official PDF lists piggybacking at 540 West 122nd then intercom buzzing at 100 Morningside Drive the same day."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (W04 Feb 9 2026)",
      "url": "https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W04_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_540West122ndStreetand100MorningsideDrive_2026_02_09.pdf",
      "type": "official-archive",
      "accessDate": "2026-09-21",
      "archiveUrl": null,
      "archiveNotes": "SPN not attempted after 500 flap"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "private-r1",
    "new-york",
    "columbia",
    "ivy",
    "package-theft",
    "clery"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-09-21",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-09-21",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}